Todd Helton named Tennessean of the Year

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (School release)– Former University of Tennessee All-American and Major League Baseball star Todd Helton was honored by the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame on Saturday as he was named the organization's 2014 Tennessean of the Year.

The award was presented to Helton at the annual induction banquet at the Renaissance Hotel in Nashville. Former Lady Vol softball pitcher Ivy Renfroe was also honored, being named one of the organization's Female Amateur Athletes of the Year.

Helton retired after last season, having spent all 17 years of his MLB career with the Colorado Rockies for whom he played more than 2,200 games. A five-time All Star, he holds the club records for hits (2,519), home runs (369),doubles (592), walks (1,335), runs scored (1,401), games played (2,247) and total bases (4,292).

A Knoxville native and Central High School graduate, Helton is the most decorated player in the history of the Tennessee baseball program. A three-time All-American, he led the Vols to three straight NCAA Regional appearances from 1993-95, including a third-place finish at the 1995 College World Series. A .370 career hitter in college, Helton continues to hold the UT career records for home runs (38), RBIs (238), walks (147), sacrifice flies (20) and saves (20).